"Fairytale of New Born" - "Fairytale of New York" by Shane MacGowan adapted by The Marsh Family

Unquestionable one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time, and hopefully on track to be the number one this year in the UK. So in the year that Ireland and the world lost one of its great modern troubadours, Shane MacGowan, here’s our adaptation of “Fairytale of New York” – first released by the Pogues with the wonderful Kirsty MacColl in 1987, and the most played non-carol Christmas song of the 21st century, written by MacGowan and Jem Finer. Its most powerful reincarnation was the amazing performance at his funeral by the Pogues and Glen Hansard and Lisa O’Neill.

Our parody version addresses that foundational mythical moment, the Nativity. It switches the characters Joseph and Mary in for the tortured lovers of the original, and – on the basis of four births of our own – imagines what that birthing moment for Christianity might actually have seemed like, had it happened in the way it’s often told…

Obviously people will have many strong views about faith, the gospels, the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas and its celebration, and the place of music, humour, and family. But this is just a bit of a laugh, and a chance to give a twist to one of our favourite songs of the season. We explore finding fake beards for the boys, but it was a step too far.

Hope you like it – and wishing everyone a massive Merry Christmas or alternative season’s greeting for some time out between now and the New Year. If you like it and you haven’t checked out any of our other stuff, PLEASE consider downloading or donating for our charity single “If That Day Comes Round” in support of the International Red Cross and their appeal for the victims of the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories conflict.

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LYRICS:

It was Christmas Eve, babe Man, the place stank! Innkeeper said to me Won't find another one The stench of dung was strong The baby soon was due I shoved some sheep away That bleated at you

Contractions had begun For someone else’s son I sat there feeling Not much for me to do She sounded distressed Having the baby She would need a bit of time When all the screaming’s through

I’ve got cows walking past I’ve got shivers from cold Cos the window’s, like, see through And the hay’s full of mould When i made my birth plan I was oh so naive No midwife or doula Just strange men and sheep!

They were wise men They were creepy Seemed friendly Seemed freaky When the donkey was braying They filed out the door Weird gifts they were bringing Random angels were singing Then mystical shepherds Who’d followed some light

The noise of the newborn child Messiah Was stinging straightaway And the 'guests' came in and out On Christmas Day

In some hut full of junk Trying to suckle god’s son “Gas and air” only spread By the ox in that shed Each time when she'd cracked it Some beard with a packet Crashes in and imparts He’s been guided by stars!

The voice of the newborn child Messiah Starts bawling in the hay And my patience running out On Christmas Day

All hail the Virgin mum Banged up in Bethlehem Public maternity Post-natal freeview I couldn’t stop them babe I would have if i’d known But cherubs with trombones Have filled the beams around you

The voice of the herald angels' choir Doth sing and shout and pray And the bells are ringing out For Christmas Day!

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